FLORENCE McLean has a heart condition and wears an alert monitor linked to the disabled landline phone network.
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To some people it would be a critical risk issue, but Mrs McLean, 98, is taking it in her stride.
She's from an era when there were no phones, no internet and no social media.
"I can't see what all the fuss is about," she told The Standard yesterday from her unit at Heatherlie Homes, opposite the Warrnambool Telstra communications exchange which was crippled by fire early on Thursday morning.
"I'm being wonderfully looked after at Heatherlie, so I have no concerns about my health risk," she said.
"I was born and raised in Ouyen with eight girls in the family and there were no phones.
"Mum had to walk to the nearest neighbour if she needed emergency help.
"Things were so bad on the land that dad pulled out and we all came to Warrnambool when I was eight.
"That's where I've been ever since. It's a marvellous place to live."
Mrs McLean still does her own shopping down the street and keeps an active social life.
"I don't drink, smoke or swear too much and always try to look on the happy side of life that's what probably keeps me fairly healthy," she said.
Several Heatherlie res-idents overlooking Koroit Street were woken by emergency sirens and saw thick smoke billowing from the exchange building on Thursday morning, but didn't realise the implications until later.
"There are about 100 residents here with 13 on medi-alert monitors," warden Pat Watson said.
"But we pull together as a community and look after each other. No one is unduly concerned."
pcollins@fairfaxmedia.com.au
